Living For the Weekend

“An old man, going on a lone highway, came at the evening cold and gray, to a chasm, vast, deep and wide, through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim, that sullen stream had no fears for him; but he turned, when he reached the other side, and built a bridge to span the tide.

Old man, said a fellow pilgrim near, you are wasting strength in building here. Your journey will end with the ending day; you never again must pass this way. You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide, why build you the bridge at the eventide?

The builder lifted his old gray head. Good friend, in the path I have come he said, there followeth after me today a youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been naught to me to that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; good friend, I am building the bridge for him." Will Allen Dromgoole

“Like a bridge over troubled water…” More than 1,200 guests converged on Baltimore’s Hilton Hotel, surrounded by Oriole fans, to honor Chief Judge Robert ”Bridge Builder” Bell on his retirement as chief jurist.

The view overlooking Camden Yards was picture-perfect as we mingled doing the cocktail reception, enjoying butler-passed hors d'oeuvre of crab cakes, salmon mousse and other delectable items before entering the magnificently decorated ballroom with the most elegant floral arrangements adorning each table for dinner.

“Memories light the corners of my mind, misty watercolor memories of the way we were, scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind…” Barbara Streisand

The program chronicling the judge’s 40 plus years as a bridge builder from his sit-in arrest at age 16 to his seat, as chief judge of Maryland’s highest court was full of laughter. Morgan State University’s Choir under the leadership of Dr. Eric Conway was outstanding. We were on the front row, seated in front of the choir. When they finished performing, I turned around and. like magic, they had left the podium with quiet decorum and grace.

“Hear ye, hear ye; The court’s in session, The court’s in session, now; Here comes the judge…” Shorty Long

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” Marion Garrity

“It brings a tear to my eyes.” The framed picture of the judge’s mother Rosa Bell sat proudly on the table in front of him throughout the evening.

“To whom much is given much is required…” Luke 12:48. The judge’s alma mater Morgan State University received a $20,000 endowment fund in his name for a Dunbar High School graduate interested in studying law. Each guest received a bobble- head of Judge Bell complete with his man purse.

“My eyesight is not nearly as good. My hearing is probably going away. My memory is slipping, too. But I'm still around.” John Wooden

“The name game.” Did you know Martin’s West did funeral services? Neither did I until Charles Faison told me that a friend’s funeral was at Martin’s West. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

We were at the 5-Mile House when he gave me the information it was noisy so I asked again and he said yes Martin’s West. On Saturday, I went to Martin and sensed something was amiss; the casually dress people where attending a bull-roast. LMBO that’s when I realized he was saying March West, a local funeral home.

“A strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done.” Marge Piercy

“I hope to continue to use Top 100 MBE and other vehicles as the voice of the minority and women business community.” was Sharon Pinder’s response on receiving the 2013 Business Hall of Fame Award from the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of minority and women entrepreneurs. Sharon is the founder of the Top 100 MBE for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

“He that would be a leader must also be a bridge.” Welsh Proverb

Congratulations to Doni Glover and B-More News on recognizing the achievements of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Among the recipients of the Business Legend and Legacy Award were Charles R. Owens, president, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce; former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Omar Muhammad, Damon Hughes, Ella White-Campbell, and Maryland Washington Minority Contractors President Wayne Frazier.

“Don't be too proud to take a lesson. I'm not.” Jack Nicklaus

If you want the perfect swing, Jandie Turner has produced a no-excuse video golf-training program designed for that Tiger in you. Contact Jandie.turner@acuitysports.com.

“If you like good music yeah yeah” Wednesday afternoon at the Windsor Inn is hot with jazzy afternoons from 3 to 7 p.m. hear the jazz giants played by Jimmy & Bo.